Commentary: Legion World Series a signature event for community

The American Legion World Series, won by Brooklawn, N.J., in 2013, is about much more than baseball.

Ben Earp/The Star

By Alan Ford

Published: Monday, March 17, 2014 at 09:18 PM.

OK, someone asked the question. It’s hard for me not to respond in these situations.

When the announcement came of ESPNU’s plans to televise the American Legion World Series championship game — which will put it on cable outlets around the world — it was exciting news if you’re active on the baseball/sports scene here in Cleveland County.

But someone who obviously doesn’t have that kind of attachment wanted to know, “Why do we get excited about the American Legion World Series?”

Now this is where a political/travel/tourism answer might suffice, but not for me. I could also point to the seemingly endless group of volunteers who take pride in the tournament and show up every year to make it better than the year before.

The simple answer, though, is — “It’s just a lot of fun!”

Think about it … what other sporting event in Cleveland County has about five-to-seven thousand folks turn out about five nights in a row to an outdoor event?

People of all ages fill up the ballpark on warm summer evenings to watch a pretty high level of competitive athletics from across the country. They enjoy a wide range of food/concessions.

There is the social aspect to it — fans get to spend time with old friends watching a game they love, see former players from the area back visiting, plus meet the out-of-town folks who come in for the games.

One of the neatest aspects of the ALWS has been the churches and other local groups who serve as hosts for the respective teams. It gives them a personal attachment during the games as they get to know some of the players, parents and coaches that are visiting. And some of those volunteers have maintained those relationships several years down the road.

No, this doesn’t really need a marketing expert to answer, though the points about economic development, etc., certainly are a positive for this area.

The Legion World Series, much like high school football, the Cleveland County Fair, barbecue and livermush is becoming one of the signatures of this community. And now with the worldwide leader in (cable) sports coverage taking the action into even more homes around the country, it can’t help but promote the event and this county even more.

The ALWS is now on that list of things that make it fun to live here. End of discussion.

OK, someone asked the question. It’s hard for me not to respond in these situations.

When the announcement came of ESPNU’s plans to televise the American Legion World Series championship game — which will put it on cable outlets around the world — it was exciting news if you’re active on the baseball/sports scene here in Cleveland County.

But someone who obviously doesn’t have that kind of attachment wanted to know, “Why do we get excited about the American Legion World Series?”

Now this is where a political/travel/tourism answer might suffice, but not for me. I could also point to the seemingly endless group of volunteers who take pride in the tournament and show up every year to make it better than the year before.

The simple answer, though, is — “It’s just a lot of fun!”

Think about it … what other sporting event in Cleveland County has about five-to-seven thousand folks turn out about five nights in a row to an outdoor event?

People of all ages fill up the ballpark on warm summer evenings to watch a pretty high level of competitive athletics from across the country. They enjoy a wide range of food/concessions.

There is the social aspect to it — fans get to spend time with old friends watching a game they love, see former players from the area back visiting, plus meet the out-of-town folks who come in for the games.

One of the neatest aspects of the ALWS has been the churches and other local groups who serve as hosts for the respective teams. It gives them a personal attachment during the games as they get to know some of the players, parents and coaches that are visiting. And some of those volunteers have maintained those relationships several years down the road.

No, this doesn’t really need a marketing expert to answer, though the points about economic development, etc., certainly are a positive for this area.

The Legion World Series, much like high school football, the Cleveland County Fair, barbecue and livermush is becoming one of the signatures of this community. And now with the worldwide leader in (cable) sports coverage taking the action into even more homes around the country, it can’t help but promote the event and this county even more.

The ALWS is now on that list of things that make it fun to live here. End of discussion.